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Turkey: Cappadocia

FEATURE (Category: Asia | Europe | Turkey | spring | scenic drives | cultural-historical | mountains | nature reserves)

Turkey: Cappadocia

South of Turkey's capital Ankara you can find some of the most astonishing landscapes of the planet. Here, in Cappadocia, soft volcanic tuff has been sculpted into fantastic shapes by millennia of erosion: huge pillars and mushrooms, valleys of "folded paper" and tuff cones in which early Christians carved their vibrantly painted churches. Most of this landscape is preserved in Göreme national park. A stark contrast is provided by the barren salt flats of Tuz Gülö.

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  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26775] 'Caravanserai with carpets.' In former days the central courtyard of the caravanserai in Mustafapasa would have been occupied by traveling merchants and their goods. Now the building, which dates from the Ottoman period, is used to display the colourful carpets that are woven in the surrounding hamlets of this Cappadocian village. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26775] 'Caravanserai with carpets.' In former days the central courtyard of the caravanserai in Mustafapasa would have been occupied by traveling merchants and their goods. Now the building, which dates from the Ottoman period, is used to display the colourful carpets that are woven in the surrounding hamlets of this Cappadocian village. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26782] 'Yarns and natural pigments.' Yarns hanging on display in the former caravanserai of Mustafapasa have been coloured with pigments extracted from flowers, leafs and bark that fill the baskets standing beneath them. The wool yarns are locally used for weaving carpets. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26782] 'Yarns and natural pigments.' Yarns hanging on display in the former caravanserai of Mustafapasa have been coloured with pigments extracted from flowers, leafs and bark that fill the baskets standing beneath them. The wool yarns are locally used for weaving carpets. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26784] 'Greek heritage.' In the 19th century the Cappadocian village of Mustafapasa was well known for its Greek merchants and stonemasons. When they were resettled to Greece after 1923 they left behind some fine houses with elaborately ornamented facades. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26784] 'Greek heritage.' In the 19th century the Cappadocian village of Mustafapasa was well known for its Greek merchants and stonemasons. When they were resettled to Greece after 1923 they left behind some fine houses with elaborately ornamented facades. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26788 'Cave-dwellings in Göreme.' At the southern edge of the Cappadocian village of Göreme the warm light of the evening sun is lighting up dwellings that have been excavated in a thick layer of volcanic tuff. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26788 'Cave-dwellings in Göreme.' At the southern edge of the Cappadocian village of Göreme the warm light of the evening sun is lighting up dwellings that have been excavated in a thick layer of volcanic tuff. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26792 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-2.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26792 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-2.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26796 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-4.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26796 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-4.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26800 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-6.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26800 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-6.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26804 'Domes of the Elmali Church-1.' The nine domes of the Byzantine Elmali Church have been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. Its frescoes date from the 11th century. This cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26804 'Domes of the Elmali Church-1.' The nine domes of the Byzantine Elmali Church have been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. Its frescoes date from the 11th century. This cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26807 'Saint in the Elmali Church-1.' An 11th century fresco of a saint in beautiful garments and expensive boots adorns the Byzantine Elmali Church that has been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. The cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26807 'Saint in the Elmali Church-1.' An 11th century fresco of a saint in beautiful garments and expensive boots adorns the Byzantine Elmali Church that has been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. The cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26809 'Saint Barbara Chapel-1.' The domes of the St. Barbara Chapel have been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. Its abstract decorations date from the iconoclastic period (725- 842 AD) when images of god or saints were not allowed. The cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26809 'Saint Barbara Chapel-1.' The domes of the St. Barbara Chapel have been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. Its abstract decorations date from the iconoclastic period (725- 842 AD) when images of god or saints were not allowed. The cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26812 'Saint in El Nazar Church.' This 11th century portrait of a saint can be found in the El Nazar Church, which is carved out of a conical rock formation ('fairy chimney') to the east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26812 'Saint in El Nazar Church.' This 11th century portrait of a saint can be found in the El Nazar Church, which is carved out of a conical rock formation ('fairy chimney') to the east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26814 'Iconoclastic bird.' On the slopes of the Kiliclar (Sword) Valley, east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme, many small cave churches and chapels can be found. Some bear decorations (painted in red ochre) from the iconoclastic period (726-843 AD) when the depiction of human figures was banned as idolatry and the religious message was communicated by symbols such as crosses, birds, trees, and fish. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26814 'Iconoclastic bird.' On the slopes of the Kiliclar (Sword) Valley, east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme, many small cave churches and chapels can be found. Some bear decorations (painted in red ochre) from the iconoclastic period (726-843 AD) when the depiction of human figures was banned as idolatry and the religious message was communicated by symbols such as crosses, birds, trees, and fish. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26816 'Fairy chimneys in White Valley-1.' A forest of 'fairy chimneys' catches the early sunlight on a spring morning in the White (Baglidere) Valley, north of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. These huge pillars, called peribacalar in Turkish, are sculptured by erosion from soft volcanic tuff layers. They are topped by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite), one of which is visible in the left foreground. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26816 'Fairy chimneys in White Valley-1.' A forest of 'fairy chimneys' catches the early sunlight on a spring morning in the White (Baglidere) Valley, north of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. These huge pillars, called peribacalar in Turkish, are sculptured by erosion from soft volcanic tuff layers. They are topped by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite), one of which is visible in the left foreground. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26781] 'Courtyard of caravanserai.' In former days the central courtyard of the caravanserai in Mustafapasa would have been occupied by traveling merchants and their goods. Now the building, which dates from the Ottoman period, is used to display the colourful carpets that are woven in the surrounding hamlets of this Cappadocian village. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26781] 'Courtyard of caravanserai.' In former days the central courtyard of the caravanserai in Mustafapasa would have been occupied by traveling merchants and their goods. Now the building, which dates from the Ottoman period, is used to display the colourful carpets that are woven in the surrounding hamlets of this Cappadocian village. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26783] 'Yarns for carpet weaving.' Yarns hanging on display in the former caravanserai of Mustafapasa have been coloured with pigments extracted from flowers, leafs and bark. The wool yarns are locally used for weaving carpets. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26783] 'Yarns for carpet weaving.' Yarns hanging on display in the former caravanserai of Mustafapasa have been coloured with pigments extracted from flowers, leafs and bark. The wool yarns are locally used for weaving carpets. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26786] 'Weaving a carpet.' In the Cappadocian village of Göreme a girl is weaving a carpet. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26786] 'Weaving a carpet.' In the Cappadocian village of Göreme a girl is weaving a carpet. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26790 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-1.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26790 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-1.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26795 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-3.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26795 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-3.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26799 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-5.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26799 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-5.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26802 'Fairy chimneys by night.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys, here seen by moonlight under a starry sky. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26802 'Fairy chimneys by night.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys, here seen by moonlight under a starry sky. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26806 'Domes of the Elmali Church-2.' Eleventh century images of Christ and saints adorn the domes of the Byzantine Elmali Church that have been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. This cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26806 'Domes of the Elmali Church-2.' Eleventh century images of Christ and saints adorn the domes of the Byzantine Elmali Church that have been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. This cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26808 'Saint in the Elmali Church-2.' An 11th century fresco of a saint adorns the Byzantine Elmali Church that has been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. The cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26808 'Saint in the Elmali Church-2.' An 11th century fresco of a saint adorns the Byzantine Elmali Church that has been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. The cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26811 'Saint Barbara Chapel-2.' The domes of the St. Barbara Chapel have been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. Its abstract decorations date from the iconoclastic period (725- 842 AD) when images of god or saints were not allowed. The cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26811 'Saint Barbara Chapel-2.' The domes of the St. Barbara Chapel have been cut out of the volcanic rock east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme. Its abstract decorations date from the iconoclastic period (725- 842 AD) when images of god or saints were not allowed. The cave church is part of a monastic settlement that was occupied from the 4th till the 13th century and is now situated in the Göreme Open-air Museum. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26813 'Circular cross.' A small cave church in the Kiliclar Valley, east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme, bears a circular cross on its wall. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26813 'Circular cross.' A small cave church in the Kiliclar Valley, east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme, bears a circular cross on its wall. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

  • [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26815 'Iconoclastic tree.' On the slopes of the Kiliclar (Sword) Valley, east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme, many small cave churches and chapels can be found. Some bear decorations (painted in red ochre) from the iconoclastic period (726-843 AD) when the depiction of human figures was banned as idolatry and the religious message was communicated by symbols such as crosses, birds, trees, and fish. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26815 'Iconoclastic tree.' On the slopes of the Kiliclar (Sword) Valley, east of the Cappadocian village of Göreme, many small cave churches and chapels can be found. Some bear decorations (painted in red ochre) from the iconoclastic period (726-843 AD) when the depiction of human figures was banned as idolatry and the religious message was communicated by symbols such as crosses, birds, trees, and fish. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

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    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26796 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-4.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.
    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26799 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-5.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.
    [TURKEY.CENTRAL 26800 'Fairy chimneys in Görkün Valley-6.' The Görkün Valley south of the Cappadocian village of Göreme boasts some of the most spectacular fairy chimneys. The pillars consist of tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) that has been protected from rain erosion by a cap of harder more solidified ash (ignimbrite). Photo Mick Palarczyk.